“Verses? Oh, yes. But I didn’t get mixed with the stars. You will remember it was Ned who said:
“‘The stars were shining clear and bright
When it rained like time, that fearful night!’
“I was the only one who stood by Ned when he penned that stanza. It could rain like time and be a fearful night while the stars were shining—in China. Oh, yes, that was a great composition, but I didn’t happen to win out.”
The school test of versification, to which both had reference, brought back pleasant memories, and Dorothy and Nat enjoyed the retrospection.
“What is that?” asked Dorothy suddenly, as something stirred at the side of the bridge on the slope that led to the water.
“Muskrat or a snake,” suggested Nat indifferently.
“No, listen! That sounded like someone falling down the path.”
“A nice soft fall to them then,” remarked Nat, without showing signs of intending to make an investigation.
“Ask if anyone is there,” timidly suggested Dorothy.